Diary of a food-loving Central New Yorker

Edible Postcards

02/19/2010

There are lots of things to like about Price Chopper: the artisan breads (with the 25-cent coupon to clip from the bag for a future purchase), the seafood department and the meat section, not to mention the friendly service in both areas.

One more reason: the Snacking Granola. I discovered it recently, walking from the bakery to seafood, and my life has changed. No longer do I need to make my own granola to have good granola!

Price Chopper's granola is made with oats, honey, soybean oil, brown sugar, almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, other wholesome ingredients and -- best of all! -- not a shred of coconut. It costs $2.49 for an 8-ounce container packed with pieces that you can munch as you walk through the store break up and sprinkle on your yogurt.

There's a reason they say not to go food shopping on an empty stomach, and Price Chopper's Snacking Granola is it: I could have eaten the entire container while roaming the aisles.

02/03/2010

It's not the Roscoe Diner, with its glass storage cases loaded with pies, cakes and cheesecakes revolving round and round in front of diners waiting for seats. But Steak and Sundae, more of a family restaurant than a traditional diner, does have a busy bake shop and impressive dessert display case, holding cakes, cheesecakes, pies, cannolis, chocolate-dipped cannolis, eclairs, baklava and Half-Moon Cookies, which look to have a crunchy bottom beneath the usual two-tone frosting job.

For lunch, I had neither a steak nor a sundae. I had a sensible Greek salad, topped with tomatoes, green pepper, onions, olives, feta cheese and marinated and grilled chicken souvlaki, all tossed with a light, lemony dressing. The tab: $8, plus beverage, tax and tip. The menu offers breakfast all day, soups, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, chops and a goodly amount of Greek fare, including gyros, spanakopita and moussaka.

Next time your travels take you to the 'Cuse, check it out. You'll have no trouble finding something you like on the menu, and I'm sure they'll cook your eggs, home fries and English muffin just the way you like 'em.